Alutia Rising

by Craig Gerttula

  Sir Simwa had recovered just as quickly as the Vice Commander, and after being restricted to quarters until an official trial could be convened, had launched his misinformation campaign against Trent, Knight Captain Quinn, and Vice Commander Daiyu. His claims were completely false, which Daniel knew since he was at the incident, and so ridiculous he couldn't believe that anyone would actually believe them. But he knew the majority of the TSB personnel, specifically the general crewmen, would, since the information came from a highly respected noble.

  The rumors stated that Trent, an Earthling of lower status then a petty, had attacked Sir Simwa, who, having a right and a duty as a noble, defended himself with force. But during the incident, Knight Captain Quinn and Vice Commander Daiyu interfered on Trent's behalf, forcing Sir Simwa to defend himself against them as well. These infractions by the TSB commanders were an even more grievous crime in the eyes of Sir Simwa and those who supported him. He even went as far to state openly that he would deal with them both personally, after Trent had been properly disposed of...of course.

  Daniel slid past a group of laughing general crewman who looked to be on their way to the entertainment wing, and entered an open transport tube, queuing his destination, the officer's barracks, before returning to his thoughts.

  The number of nobles on Earth was less than 50, all brought by Sir Simwa, and all, except Knight Captain Quinn, were sending messages to every high ranking noble in the Hulk'Zif Duchy, asking assistance in the resolution of this matter. Daniel suppressed a laugh at the thought, letting a modest smile crawl across his lips. The Hulk'Zif Duchy no longer held jurisdiction over the special protectorate of Earth. The new Alutia Duchy, under the rule of Grand Duchess Sasha Alutia, now held responsibility. He knew this information wouldn't stay secret for long, since the official announcement could happen at any time, and Duke Zehman, who was in charge of the Hulk'Zif Duchy, was well aware of this change. But he was looking forward to the shocked surprise of Sir Simwa, whose father had lost a rather large portion of his own holdings in the creation of the new duchy. As Daniel's tube came to a silent stop, having arrived at his destination, he waved to an attractive young female officer who exited the transport tube to his left.

  "Lieutenant Cody! How good to see you. I'm heading to dinner and having the company of your beauty would brighten this otherwise dreary day." Daniel said, falling into playboy mode as he bowed with a flourish. Lieutenant Cody blushed noticeably.

  "I'd be honored, Lieutenant Daniel, I'll meet you in front of Antonio's in an hour?" Lieutenant Cody kept glancing away from Daniel, since her blush would worsen when she caught the look in his baby blue eyes.

  "Of course. I will be waiting at your convenience." Daniel responded, knowing that this would, indeed, be a very pleasant evening. He gave her another slight bow, winking when he caught her fluttering eyes, and started down the hall towards his room, trying to contain his boyish excitement.

  When he arrived at his quarters, he jumped into the shower and thought again about the review council, allowing the memory of the proceedings to flow freely. Recognition came like a shock as he suddenly realized why every TSB captain and commander was present for the usually scarcely attended event, and the most likely reason for the Knight Captain's speech on loyalty.

  Knight Captain Quinn wasn't one to sit around and allow others to take control of a situation. He may not have as much sway with the NHA nobles, but his officers highly respected him. So in using the after action review council, the only venue that allowed the legal dissemination of the closed record of the incident, provided him an opportunity to head off any possible insurrection with those directly in his chain-of-command. It was brilliant, he realized, and even though he hated the man with a passion...Daniel had to give credit where it was due.

  Carefully slipping on his blue and white dress uniform and running his hand through his wavy, dirty blond hair one more time, he rushed to the door, almost forgetting the tiny packets of Noble's Delight, the aphrodisiac that would all but guarantee the long, exciting night, he was expecting.

  *********

  Goosebumps covered her flesh and she shivered uncontrollably as the catillian crawled across her body, tickling her with its tiny hands and fur, having just finished the creation of yet another feeding node. Sasha grunted a sigh once it stopped, continuing her restless pacing about her exquisitely decorated sitting room onboard the ABF Princess One, her naked skin glistening in the soft interior lighting.

  Tiana and Regalia lounged on one of the ornately designed crimson couches, arranged in a semi-circle around an external viewport display, sipping on Etique, a very popular beverage from Tidelia, with a perfume like smell and sourishly sweet taste. At the other end of the room, standing in front of the finely carved door, was Guard Lieutenant Lia'Sil, who true to her word, had kept all record systems disabled, and forbid the male guards from entering her main apartment, for the last six days. Her vigilance allowed Sasha to move around freely during the bonding ritual, without her fear of being seen naked by a man manifesting itself...at least not as often.

  For the first day of bonding Sasha had been extremely embarrassed about her nudity, but her companions were very polite, providing her plenty of extra space. From the second day on, however, as she started feeling more comfortable, the games began, especially from Tiana, who treated her like some sort of exotic sculpture that needed constant appraisal.

  Even worse than the ever playful Tiana...well maybe not worse, but just as bad...was the catillian itself, which seemed to do its exploring during the most random hours. It would rest from time-to-time in her bosom, then wander around her naked body for up to five hours at a time, leaving feeding nodes in its wake. If she was sitting or lying down when it decided it was time for the next foray, it would let out the most annoying squeal Sasha had ever heard. It would do this until she stood, allowing it unfettered access to her unclad being. She knew it was every girls dream to have their own, bonded catillian, but if they actually knew what was required...she shook her head at the thought.

  Sasha continued her nervous pacing, trying her best to wait patiently for the catillian to remove itself back to his bed in her bosom. At that moment, like her thought was transmitted to the tiny creature, it quickly crawled over her shoulder, causing her to repress a giggle at the feeling of its caressing fur and tiny hands brushing against her neck, and curled up in its bosom bed. She let out a deep sigh of relief as she plopped down on the couch next to Tiana, which she regretted immediately when a hand was placed tenderly on her inner thigh, the mischievous girl leaning close, blowing lightly into her ear.

  "If you keep parading your sexy body in front of me, I may not be able to control myself." Tiana whispered seductively. Sasha pushed her, and her hand, away in one motion, causing a delightful giggle to escape the younger girl's lips.

  "Regalia, please do not follow the example of this...this...vixen!" Sasha snapped, pointing accusingly at Tiana, while looking at the blushing Regalia. She thought of saying the young girl should follow her own example, but realized it might not be a good idea, since she was parading her naked body around her apartments. She decided on someone else...someone more appropriate.

  "In fact...if you need an example to follow, keep an eye on Guard Lieutenant Lia'Sil, she is a fine role model for any young lady." Sasha raised her voice loud enough so the Guard Lieutenant could clearly overhear her.

  "Thank you, Your Grace. But Lady Regalia would be best to follow your example...unless she wants to join the service when she comes of age." responded the Guard-Lieutenant, voice full of modesty. Sasha smiled and was about to continue, but the Guard Lieutenant cleared her throat, causing her to pause.

  "Your Grace, I'm sorry to interrupt your conversation, but Knight Admiral Bhool requested that I remind you to check your messages. She thought you may have forgotten during the stressful time of bonding." Her tone suddenly became professional, allying none of the friendliness that was previously present.

  "
Now that you mention it, I have been rather preoccupied...." Sasha looked accusingly at her now sleeping catillian. "...did Lady Bhool provide any additional details?" Sasha asked inquisitively, wondering what couldn't wait until she was officially grand duchess.

  "Yes, Your Grace. As you know, when a new duchy is formed, the royal family holds ownership until the official transfer ceremony. It is custom, however, that as soon as the choice is made for who will become duke or duchess of the new duchy, they shall immediately enjoy all the decision making powers for said duchy, even though it has not been officially transferred." Sasha was puzzled for a moment, trying to wrap her head around the Guard-Lieutenants words.

  "So...in simple terms...I am still responsible for the duchy even though it has yet to be officially handed over to me?" Sasha smiled, finding a strange enjoyment in untangling the Guard-Lieutenants explanation.

  "Yes and no, Your Grace. Minor decisions are still handled by the royal administrators, but major issues are forwarded to you...and it seems that a major issue has arisen." Sasha sighed as the Guard Lieutenant finished, knowing that the announcement she just heard would most likely end her carefree days. Would it be a blessing or a curse, she asked herself...she couldn't wait to find out.

  "Thank you, Guard Lieutenant, I have some time now so I will peruse my messages. Could you thank Knight-Admiral Bhool for me and please stay on duty for a little longer, just in case I have any additional questions?" She knew it was about time for Lia'Sil to change shifts, having been on duty for the last 10 hours.

  "It would be my pleasure, Your Grace." Satisfied with the response, Sasha turned to her ladies-in-waiting.

  "You two have no reason to stick around and I doubt I will require your input. Feel free to leave if you like." Sasha knew their responses before she made the statement, but still felt like being a little snooty.

  "What? And leave you to make the wrong decisions! I think we'll stay." said Tiana, smirking slyly, with an accompanying nod from Regalia. Sasha forced a frown, knowing Tiana had seen through her, and decided not to pursue the game any further. Instead, she stroked her sleeping catillian and accessed her BC node.

  She was surprised by the sheer number of messages she'd received, all within the last two days. There were two special level military messages, the highest none combat priority, and 160 level one civilian messages, the highest level priority that ruling nobles were allowed to use. She decided to ignore the level two's and three's, cringing at their ever growing numbers, and decided to start by accessing the two special level military messages. But as she skimmed the names on the level one messages, one suddenly caught her mind.

  The message was from Duke Zehman, the current ruler of the Hulk'Zif Duchy, who had generously provided a large portion of his own territory for the Alutia Duchy. She decided to access his message first, since the Duke should provide her an accurate and reliable gauge of the current situation. After queuing her request, the message began flowing into her mind.

  "Dear Your Royal Highness Sasha..." She was slightly disturbed that he didn't use her new title, but let it slide since it still wasn't official. "...In the recent realignment of the Hulk'Zif Duchy, the administration of the special protectorate of Earth has fallen to the newly formed Alutia Duchy, which will soon be under your rule. As such, I no longer have authority to deal with matters that arise therein without your consent. For this reason I contact you, in hopes you will consent to immediate justice and allow me to deal with a most heinous of crimes purported against one of my honorable nobles..." Sasha paused the message, her interest perked. She vaguely recalled hearing the name Earth in her childhood studies, but was not able to remember exactly why it was a special protectorate. She queued a query to the BAP, hoping the starships immense library contained information on Earth. But of course, the query was returned as unrecognized. She considered accessing the rest of the message for a second, then looked to Guard Lieutenant Lia'Sil.

  "Lia'Sil? Do you know anything about the special protectorate of Earth? It appears I am now responsible for its oversight...and I think I should have a greater understanding of the rules governing its administration." asked Sasha, trying not to sound too much like the young, ignorant nobles she'd grown to despise in her youth.

  "Yes, Your Grace..." To Sasha's surprise, the Guard Lieutenant blushed, noticeable even from across the room, as she continued. "...my fiancé was actually a member of the Terra Space Battalion before being transferred temporarily, then permanently, to work with the supply company responsible for covertly delivering goods to the TSB." Sasha gasped in surprise and Tiana suddenly began to bounce, a mischievous grin plastered on her lips.

  "Now everything is starting to fall into place. Do tell Lia'Sil?" Tiana jumped on the opportunity for some juicy gossip and Sasha knew she would have to stop her young lady-in-waiting before the conversation started down the wrong path. She lightly placed her hand on Tiana's leg, causing the girl to twitch in surprise, turning towards Sasha with a confused look.

  "Tiana, we can discuss that at another time. For now, I need more information about Earth...this is important." She continued holding the gaze of her friend, who noticeably pouted, but thought better of voicing her complaints.

  "Go on, Lia'Sil, but keep in mind, I will need a full briefing about this fiancé of yours at a later date." Sasha smiled briefly and suddenly remembered her nudity as she uncrossed her legs, causing a blush that matched the one covering Lia'Sil as she corrected herself.

  "Yes, Your Grace...Earth was colonized 25,000 years ago..." Sasha felt astonishment fill her as Lia'Sil's words sunk in. Galaxy 189 had only been officially colonized for the last 5000 years. "...by order of the then Emperor of the NHA. The Emperor, as stories tell, wanted to conduct his own experiment on early human development and evolution. He decided to send out a starship of humans, raised in isolation, with no education or technology, and leave them on a virgin world much like the Planet Origin." Lia'Sil paused, gathering her thoughts and Sasha chimed in before she could continue.

  "Do you mind coming closer? I can hear you fine...it is just strange having a conversation with someone from across the room." Lia'Sil, still blushing lightly, quickly crossed the room and Sasha pointed to the open sofa. She appeared reluctant to sit at first, but gave in quickly, causing Sasha to wonder if the memory of what happened to the Guard Captain may still be fresh in her thoughts.

  "As I was saying, Your Grace, the Emperor had decided to send a colony ship of uneducated humans to an uncolonized world. As you probably know, at that time, a great exploration was taking place and many galaxies were being discovered, but most were staying unexplored with just their locations being catalogued. The Emperor picked one these galaxies and sent two vessels through its founding SJS gate, a colony ship and a large research vessel that was suppose to study the humans for a time, then return and report the location of the test colony." She paused and looked to Sasha, who nodded to go on, having no questions.

  "Hundreds of years passed and the research vessel never returned. The Emperor, at the end of his days, left a request with his son to send out a scouting fleet to search for the lost colony experiment. The new Emperor, after a few more years passed, decided to heed his father's wish and sent out a small exploration force to this galaxy in the hope of finding traces of his father’s lost experiment. Less than 30 days passed when the exploration fleet returned with a message pod found in a debris field only a few million kilometers from the return SJS gate. The message contained the location of the planet the colonist had been deposited, but nothing about the research vessels fate. At the time, the young Emperor was embroiled in a major conflict, and due to the unknown nature of the research vessels destruction, decided to lock the SJS gate until a larger force became available. Hundreds of years later, when the Emperor died, the experiment was forgotten, locked away with the sealed gate." Lia'Sil paused again, glancing at the drinks on the table as she unconsciously licked her lips. Sasha, seeing this, sent a request to her servant and h
eld up her hand.

  "So, if I gather this correctly. Earth was colonized 25,000 years ago with uneducated humans...I'm guessing to see how they would evolve and grow?" Sasha quickly recapped what she'd heard, looking up as an embarrassed servant entered the room, reminding her yet again of her nudity, and causing her to shift in a way that made the fact less obvious. Lia'Sil thanked the servant for the drink, taking a sip, then looking back at Sasha.

  "That is correct, Your Grace. The Emperor of that time was responsible for many great advances in biological science, including the addition of the healing gene, and decided to prepare many long term experiments, including Earth, for his descendants." Sasha found the entire thing mind boggling. An experiment that lasted 25,000 years was an incredible thing.

  "The whole experiment was forgotten until an Emperor, about 5,500 years ago decided that resources were abundant enough for the simultaneous colonization of the remaining galaxies that were discovered during the great exploration 20,000 years earlier. During the process of unlocking galaxy 189's SJS gate, the records of the Earth project were released and an expedition was mounted. What they found was a pre-Industrial human society that had spread and slightly evolved, with minor changes in skin color and looks due to the varying environments on Earth, similar to what occurred with many of the early human's from galaxy 1." Lia'Sil paused, making sure no one had a question, then continued.

  “The Emperor then decided to maintain the experiment, and during the early colonization of this galaxy he mandated the creation of the special protectorate of Earth, while establishing the Terra Space Battalion to protect the planet and keep outsiders from ruining the experiment. The TSB, as it's now called, was also responsible for monitoring and studying the fledgling world." Lia'Sil stopped, seeming to consider for a few seconds before continuing.

  "That's about it, Your Grace, unless you had a question about the inner workings of the Terra Space Battalion?" asked Lia'Sil politely.